New Orleans French Bread

Discover the essence of classic New Orleans baking with this irresistibly light and crusty French bread recipe. Perfectly golden with a chewy interior, this homemade bread captures the authentic charm of a traditional bakery loaf. Featuring just a handful of pantry staples—bread flour, active dry yeast, a hint of sugar, and melted butter—this recipe is surprisingly simple yet yields bakery-worthy results. The dough rises twice for enhanced flavor and texture, while diagonal slashes across the top create a beautiful artisanal finish. Whether served warm with butter, used to scoop up gumbo, or transformed into a po’ boy sandwich, this versatile loaf is a must-try for bread enthusiasts looking to bring a taste of the French Quarter into their kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 5 cups Bread flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 2 cups Warm water (110°F)
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter, melted

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.

Step 2

Add 2 cups of bread flour and the salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a smooth batter forms.

Step 3

Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 4

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Punch the dough down and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a long loaf, about 12 inches in length, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7

Cover the loaves loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise again for 30-40 minutes, or until puffy.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Before baking, use a sharp knife to make 3-4 diagonal slashes across the top of each loaf.

Step 9

Brush the loaves lightly with melted butter, then place them in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 10

Allow the loaves to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve fresh and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1150.8 grams (1150.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2446

Total Fat 21.20g	27%
Saturated Fat 9.20g	46%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 31mg	10%
Sodium 4738mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 490.20g	178%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 14.40g
Protein 77.90g	156%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 99mg	8%
Iron 28mg	154%
Potassium 771mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 7.7%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 79.6%